Major shake-ups and Russell-Lomachenko hasn’t even happened yet! Despite having 2 old guys with losses to Jason Litzau in the back-half of the top 10, this division has potential. It’s not the most talented, but it is one of the more competitive weight classes. Donaire should keep his word and give V12 a rematch to demonstrate as much. 

1)      Nonito Donaire

2)      Evgeny Gradovich

3)      Jhonny Gonzalez

4)      Nicholas Walters

5)      Abner Mares

6)      Simpiwe Vetyeka

7)      Lee Selby

8)      Rocky Juarez

9)      Rene Alvarado

10)   Celestino Caballero

In: Nicholas Walters, Rocky Juarez

Out: Luis Franco (10), Robinson Castellanos (9)

Up: Nonito Donaire (5), Lee Selby (8)

Down: Evgeny Gradovich (1), Jhonny Gonzalez (2), Abner Mares (3), Simpiwe Vetyeka (4), Rene Alvarado (6), Celestino Caballero (7)

Waiting in the Wings: Gary Russell Jr, Vasyl Lomachenko, Jayson Velez, Eusebio Osejo, Jezreel Corrales, Vic Darchinyan, Billy Dib, Jesus Marcelo Andres Cuellar, Joel Brunker, Alexander Miskirtchian, Marvin Sonsona, Jorge Arce, Carlos Zambrano, Eric Hunter, Hisashi Amagasa, Gamalier Rodriguez, Luis Franco, Robinson Castellanos

Fight Schedule:

2014-06-14 Jorge Arce vs Jorge Lacierva

2014-06-21 Gary Russell Jr vs Vasyl Lomachenko

2014-06-23 Satoshi Hosono vs Gosuke Seki

2014-06-24 Hisashi Amagasa vs Maxsaisai Sithsaithong

2014-06-28 Carlos Zambrano vs Daniel Ramirez

2014-07-02 Billy Dib vs Alberto Garza

2014-07-12 Abner Mares vs Jonathan Oquendo

2014-07-18 Macbute Sinyabi vs Lusanda Komanisi

2014-07-19 Jezreel Corrales vs Jose Fonseca

No ratings change but major fights are on the horizon! May 31st is particularly outstanding with 3 quality scraps. The winner of Walters-Darchinyan will surely end up rated by the next update. Vetyeka-Donaire should crown a new #1 in the division. And Miskirtchian will end up rated if he pulls off the (unlikely) upset against Gradovich.  However, perhaps the most interesting fight on the schedule is Russell-Lomachenko on June 21st. From memory this will be the first Golden Boy vs Top Rank fight since Erislandy Lara vs Vanes Martirosyan in 2012. That fight, like this one, came to fruition via purse bid. Top Rank ran the Lara-Martirosyan promotion while Golden Boy will run Russell-Lomachenko. Cross your fingers the fight doesn’t end in another controversial draw…

1)      Evgeny Gradovich

2)      Jhonny Gonzalez

3)      Abner Mares

4)      Simpiwe Vetyeka

5)      Nonito Donaire

6)      Rene Alvarado

7)      Celestino Caballero

8)      Lee Selby

9)      Robinson Castellanos

10)   Luis Franco

Waiting in the Wings: Gary Russell Jr, Vasyl Lomachenko, Jayson Velez, Eusebio Osejo, Jezreel Corrales, Nicholas Walters, Vic Darchinyan, Billy Dib, Jesus Marcelo Andres Cuellar, Joel Brunker, Alexander Miskirtchian, Marvin Sonsona, Jorge Arce, Carlos Zambrano, Eric Hunter, Hisashi Amagasa, Gamalier Rodriguez

Fight Schedule:

2014-05-17 Oscar Valdez vs TBA

2014-05-17 Lee Selby vs Romulo Koasicha

2014-05-24 Jhonny Gonzalez vs Clive Atwell

2014-05-26 Rene Alvarado vs Rocky Juarez

2014-05-31 Nicholas Walters vs Vic Darchinyan

2014-05-31 Simpiwe Vetyeka vs Nonito Donaire

2014-05-31 Evgeny Gradovich vs Alexander Miskirtchian

2014-06-07 Wilfredo Vazquez Jr vs Marvin Sonsona

2014-06-21 Gary Russell Jr vs Vasyl Lomachenko

Luis Franco returns to the rankings after Daniel Ponce De Leon drops out due to his move to super featherweight (which didn’t go very well, see junior lightweight update). This division is wide open right now and Simpiwe Vetyeka vs Nonito Donaire is the most important fight on the schedule. The winner is likely the new #1.

1)      Evgeny Gradovich

2)      Jhonny Gonzalez

3)      Abner Mares

4)      Simpiwe Vetyeka

5)      Nonito Donaire

6)      Rene Alvarado

7)      Celestino Caballero

8)      Lee Selby

9)      Robinson Castellanos

10)   Luis Franco

Waiting in the Wings: Gary Russell Jr, Jayson Velez, Eusebio Osejo, Jezreel Corrales, Nicholas Walters, Billy Dib, Rico Ramos, Joel Brunker, Alexander Miskirtchian, Vasyl Lomachenko, Marvin Sonsona, Jorge Arce, Carlos Zambrano, Eric Hunter, Hisashi Amagasa

Fight Schedule:

2014-04-12 Oscar Valdez vs Adrian Perez

2014-04-19 Orlando Cruz vs Gamalier Rodriguez

2014-04-28 Jayson Velez vs TBA

2014-05-02 Rico Ramos vs Jesus Marcelo Andres Cuellar

2014-05-17 Lee Selby vs TBA

2014-05-24 Jhonny Gonzalez vs TBA

2014-05-31 Nicholas Walters vs TBA

2014-05-31 Simpiwe Vetyeka vs Nonito Donaire

2014-05-31 Evgeny Gradovich vs Alexander Miskirtchian